How to Find Marriage Records using Norway’s Digital Archives
Hi everyone! How’s life this week? Have you hit a brick wall? Do you know where to go or what to do about it? If not, then maybe I can help. Send me a comment or email me your question. I also have a Facebook Page called The Nordic Genealogy Hour that you can leave your questions.
So, what happens when, in your genealogy journey, you need to find a Norwegian marriage record? Where do you go? How do you look for it? What does it look like? What information do you need in order to find it?
Today, let’s talk about how to find marriage records on Norway’s Arkivdigital. First, you’ll need to know the place name of your ancestor. This is the name after their surname. If you’re finding different place names for the same ancestor, then check each one until you find the correct marriage record. Birth records are a good place to start because you will find the place names of the parents. Then you can search for the parent’s marriage record.
There’s a few ways to find the record; however, this works for me. From the homepage, https://www.digitalarkivet.no/en go to Find Source.
This takes you to a page where you can enter the parish name and the type of record you’re looking for. I went to Geography, Vestlandet, Rogaland, Vikedal and Category, Church Books/Parish registers. I clicked on Select All because it keeps my options open instead of narrowing the search so much that my record slips through. Then hit Search.
From here, I select the year that I need, which is 1858. There happens to be two different registers that have 1858 marriages. Therefore, you check both until you find your ancestors. My marriage record happened to be in the first register. This one has a browse function and a search function. I prefer to browse if I have the time and if I know there’s been multiple spellings of my ancestor’s name. The search function can save time; however, I have more luck using the browse function. Browsing takes you to the original pages and you can search each page, just plan for extra time if you do it that way. I believe that it helps me learn the handwriting and the way the minister wrote. So I do it the long way to help me practice.
Once you find it, then right click to save image to your personal computer wherever you keep your images. In addition, go to the top right corner and click on the image of a disk that’s third from the right. This is to copy the source information to your clipboard. Having the source with your image is vital. You may need to find the original image again and the source can quickly lead you there again. Otherwise, you have to track it down using the method above and that takes time away from your research. This way saves you time and energy.
In addition, the Norwegian word for marriage is “vielse.” However, you will see other associated Norwegian words on these records. Such as…
copulerede=marriage
brylling=wedding
brud=bride
brudgrom=bridegroom
far=father
trolovet=engaged
trolovelse=engagement
ungkarl=bachelor
pige=maiden
enke=widow
enkemann=widower
enkestand=widowed
soldat=soldier
This is just a small example of the words that will be useful to know on these marriage records. If you happen to find a record and it’s in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, then please don’t let that stop you from finding someone that will translate it. I know there are many Facebook groups that help others with their translations. There’s also local Family History Centers and libraries where they might have someone that can help. The point is, don’t give up and keep your eyes and ears open for the help that you need. In addition, I could help with basic translations or I might know of a group that can handle the more complicated documents. Just let me know if I can help in any way with your search.
Marriage records are fun and informative. If you give them half a chance, they can be a real value to your journey. Therefore, go and find those marriage records to see another piece of your ancestor’s life unfold. If you ever get stuck, please let me know and as always we can do it together.
Good luck and happy hunting!
Tiffany